WKCTC Honors Faculty and Staff at Awards Reception |
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John Moore, Kevin Gericke, Renea Akin, and Bettie Bean |
Four West Kentucky Community and Technical College faculty and staff members were recognized during a reception Friday, April 25.
“These four award recipients are people who to me, demonstrate a love for their work. They do not come here every day for money or fame, but for the sheer joy of doing their work well – and it shows,” said Tena Payne, Vice President for Academic Affairs at WKCTC during the reception.
Renea Akin and Bettie Bean, both of Paducah, have been named nominees for the Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s 2008 New Horizon Award.
Each KCTCS college nominates one faculty member and one staff member for the award by their fellow college employees. One faculty member and one staff member from the 32 people nominated will be chosen as the top staff and faculty representative at a special awards banquet to be held in Lexington in May.
 Akin earned her Bachelor’s degree in Physical Therapy from the University of Kentucky in 1984 and her Master’s degree from the University of Indianapolis in 1997. She has most recently been working on her doctorate at Vanderbilt and is working on her dissertation. Akin has been a part of the college since 1993 and has taught in the Physical Therapy Program, been the Dean of the Science and Related Technologies Division and the Allied Health Division and is now the Dean of Institutional Effectiveness.
 Bean is a graduate of Murray State University in 1971 with a Bachelor’s degree in English and a Master’s degree in English in Education with an emphasis in English in 1972. Bean currently serves as a software specialist, but has held other positions at the college including a part-time instructor, a lab supervisor and secretary. Bean has been instrumental in developing the “Today, Tomorrow, and Beyond” technology training for all faculty and staff. Bean has worked at the college since 1979.
In addition, the Phelps Award and the Paducah Junior College Faculty Award were given to two faculty members.
Dr. Kevin Gericke of Paducah, received The Phelps Award, named in memory of Finis Sargent Phelps and Florence Grubbs Phelps which was established at the college in 1991. The purpose of this award is to emphasize quality, promote academic excellence, and reward competence in teaching in the Liberal Arts and Sciences disciplines.
 Gericke earned his Bachelor’s degree from Northern Arizona University and his Masters and PhD from Virginia Polytechnic Institute in 1990 and 1993. Gericke is the advisor to Phi Theta Kappa, the college’s honor society and has been active in developing new activities for the students.
“He is a valuable member of the faculty and serves the college well. His desire to meet student's needs is remarkable. Student success is his primary goal. This is evident in his classroom, his voluntary tutoring sessions, and his college wide workshop on student success,” said Payne.
 John Moore of Mayfield was presented the Paducah Junior College Faculty Award. This award was established in 1999 and also recognizes quality, competence, and excellence in teaching in a technical field.
Moore earned his Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts from Wayne State University and recently completed his Master’s degree from Murray State.
Moore has taught carpentry for three years with the college and has dedicated his time and effort in promoting the Arts and Historic Preservation.
“John promotes quality instruction and craft through exemplary performance,” said Payne. “I have seen him in action and his classroom and work environment have a positive culture of trust, respect, and open communication.”
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